It has never been a secret, and it makes good sense. I have heard the Harvard head of admissions even say in public that Harvard has an outreach to local students, particularly from Cambridge public schools.

IMO it is normal for colleges to have a special outreach to the local community, something that is simply a reflection of sensitivity to the community that houses it.

Northstarmom is right. Harvard has been open about its policy. I personally know several Cambridge residents who are currently or will be at Harvard. All have stellar qualifications, a sine qua non of admission. The two current students I know are doing very well.

When Harvard wants to build a new building or acquire more land in Cambridge, the first question that the community will ask is what's in it for us--you're a 501(c) (3) non-profit institution that does not pay any taxes. Harvard's answer is: we will give your children an edge in admission and offer scholarship money. This is a nice quid pro quo.

Harvard recently acquired over 100 acres of land on the other side of the river in Allston. Harvard's president, Lawrence Summers, recently announced that the school plans to build a new $1 billion campus on the land. You can bet that the City of Boston will want something in return, likely in the form of scholarships and an edge in admissions for local applicants. Lets all move to Boston or Cambridge.

Good point, but Southie is a special case. People in that part of Boston buy and sell public parking spaces or reserve them for themselves with lawn chairs, garbage cans, and other items-LOL! Read this: